Harare — Once considered to be some of the best preserved wetlands in the region, Harare's famed swamplands are slowly losing their lustre.

An unprecedented demand for land has seen property developers swamping these areas, totally disregarding the status of these wetlands. The City of Harare on the other hand, also stands accused of neglecting these swamps and letting them lie idle.

Probably in an effort to redress this, council decided to lease out one of the wetlands, so it could be developed and that has drawn the ire of residents who have decided to take custodianship.

Residents of Highlands are up in arms over the local authority's decision to lease out Ballantyne Park to Freshpro and it seems they have persuaded council to rethink its decision on wetlands.

In correspondence between Ballantyne Park Conservancy Trust (BPCT) and council, the city's director of urban planning services, Psychology Chiwanga is reported to have said the city was failing to monitor developments due to staff shortages.

Council had already drawn up an agreement with Freshpro, but rescinded it after opposition from BPCT. After raising a storm council rescinded its decision, allowing residents to take ownership. However, the conservancy trust felt the council was dragging its feet, taking more than eight months, to award it custodianship of the park.

They fear that, because of its commercial value, council was not eager to let go of the park, without getting revenue from it. The residents claimed that the stand was issued to them and could not be turned into a commercial area as it was sited as a game sanctuary. While, on the other hand council intended to lease the land out, BPCT challenged the local authority, arguing that they had not been consulted.

"Further be advised that council noted your concerns and reiterated that the park will not be ceded to Freshpro," a letter by council to BPCT reads. Adding to that the local authority has stopped the construction at a wetland near Dandaro Village, while efforts to halt developments are underway in Newlands and Mayfield Park.

In Mayfield, however, council might be fighting a losing battle, as the area is now fully developed. The wetland near Dandaro has raised controversy over who the council sold it to. It is reported that the land was sold to Philip Chiyangwa, while OK Zimbabwe, Air Force and an association of disabled people also claim ownership of the same land.

Asked for comment, council spokesman Lesley Gwindi said its policy was that construction should not be allowed on Harare's wetlands. "Wetlands are always protected and we cannot allow anyone to build there, that is our policy," he said.